Line Cook

Amara is looking for a Senior Line Cook to run a station on our wood-fired line and help lead the kitchen during service.

Amara is a seasonal California restaurant in Belmont, with a wood-fired kitchen and a garden dining room. We cook with what's in season and change the menu as the produce changes. We're part of the Saffron Restaurant Group, alongside Saffron in San Carlos and Rasa in Burlingame.

This role is for a cook who already knows how to run a station well and wants more responsibility. You'll work closely with the Chef and Sous Chef, step up to lead the line when they're off the floor, and help train newer cooks.

• Run your station during service, including the wood-fired grill and hearth, with consistent timing and plating.
• Lead the line when the Chef or Sous Chef is off the floor: call tickets, keep pace, and fix problems as they come up.
• Build and manage station prep lists so every station is fully set before service.
• Manage the wood fire: build it, hold temperature, and keep it safe and clean.
• Train and coach newer line cooks on recipes, technique, and station standards.
• Help develop and test seasonal dishes and specials with the Chef.
• Receive and check produce and protein deliveries for quality and accuracy.
• Rotate stock, label and date everything, and cut waste.
• Keep the kitchen clean, organized, and inspection-ready at all times.
• Follow food safety, allergy, and sanitation rules every shift.
• Communicate clearly with the front of house, especially on allergies, timing, and 86'd items.

• 3+ years as a line cook in a full-service, scratch kitchen, with at least 1 year in a lead or senior role.
• Solid knife skills and cooking fundamentals: butchery basics, sauces, roasting, grilling.
• Comfortable on a busy line and able to stay calm and organized under pressure.
• Able to lead by example and give clear, respectful direction.
• California Food Handler Card (or able to get one within 30 days of hire).
• Able to stand for long shifts, work around open flame and high heat, and lift up to 50 lbs.
• Available nights, weekends, and holidays.

Nice to have

• Experience cooking over live fire, wood-fired ovens, or a hearth.
• Experience with seasonal, produce-driven, or farm-to-table menus.
• ServSafe Manager certification.
• Spanish and English.

• Type: Full-time, hourly
• Schedule: 4 to 5 shifts a week, mostly evenings, including weekends and holidays
• Reports to: Chef / Sous Chef
• Pay: $21 to $25 per hour, based on experience
• Benefits:  tip share , staff meals, dining discounts across the group, paid sick leave

There's room to grow here. Strong senior cooks can move toward Sous Chef roles at Amara or our other restaurants.

Send your resume and a few lines about what you like to cook to [email protected]. Or stop by the restaurant between 2 and 4pm, Tuesday through Friday, and ask for the Chef Chandan

Amara is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds.